Summary
Each So Unique, No Visit is the Same
Located 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, this archipelago of unspoiled, isolated islands will welcome you with its rugged charms and evolutionary wonders. Consisting of 19 islands and 42 islets that all rose from the sea as the product of volcanic eruptions, these islands are between 3 million and 4 million years old.
Completely oceanic—meaning they’ve never been connected to the mainland—the Galapagos Islands are truly a world apart. Settlers have carved out their lives on the lava rocks, pirates have profited, and scientists have explored. The history of the Galapagos is rich and diverse, with tales of basic survival and extraordinary discovery. For almost any modern adventurer, a journey through time to the Galapagos is a dream vacation.
Balance Exploration With Relaxation
A few million years ago, volcanos erupted, creating these moonscapes where lumbering tortoises, comical birds, and other wildlife evolved in isolation. Today, you can experience this wondrous environment on shore excursions led by naturalists—two each day—as active or leisurely as you choose. Climb the hills to find colonies of red-footed boobies, hike the coast to spot colorful Sally Lightfoot crabs, watch the sea lions go surfing, or just relax and enjoy the sandy beaches and deck-side bars.
Certified Experts Lead the Way
Sailings include two shore excursions per day, each the adventure of a lifetime. Onboard naturalists, certified by Galapagos National Park, lead small groups of no more than 12 explorers. Activities are curated by our highly trained team of experts and each night we brief you on upcoming adventures.
Three Great Reasons to Visit The Galapagos
Once in a lifetime, you can walk in the footsteps of Darwin, getting closer to the natural world than you ever have or ever will, coming home with a radically new understanding of the planet. With us, you'll encounter flora found nowhere else, come face to face with fauna that has not learned to fear humans, and hike moonscapes that barely resemble Earth.
The Flora
While the animals of the Galapagos Islands get the glory, the evolution and adaptation of plant life here is equally important. Check out the beautiful lava Cactus, which only grows on barren lava fields. The Prickly Pear Cactus found only on these islands. And, the magnificent Scalesia, which grows up to sixty feet tall.
The Fauna
Since the animals here don’t fear humans, you can truly get up close and personal, looking into the eyes of a Galapagos marine iguana, and walking among penguins – the only penguin species north of the equator. Here, you’ll discover creatures whose very existence forms the basis for one of the most famous scientific theories in history.
The Adventure
Nature lovers flock to this exotic terrain born of fire. Once, volcanos spat and lava flowed, creating an archipelago of 19 islands with a marine reserve that serve as a living museum of evolution. Extreme isolation and the convergence of three ocean currents developed the most unusual wildlife.
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